Gun barrel mounting for sling swivel

ABSTRACT

A gun barrel mounting for a sling swivel of the type having a hinge pin for mounting purposes. The mounting includes a band which is adapted to be tightened around a barrel by means of a screw device which attaches to end portions in the band, and which contains a double-open-ended bore that is sized freely to receive the hinge pin in a swivel.

United States Patent {15] 3,704,537 McKinzie 1 Dec. 5, 1972 s41 GUN BARREL MOUNTING FOR SLING 1,088,314 2 1914 Wilcke ..42/ss SWIVEL 2,480,662 8/1949 McKinzie ..42/ss 1,309,431 7/1919 Badger ..24/2.5 [72] Inventor Pmmn Melanie 'i cahf' 1,768 7/1860 Hollis ..42/ss [73] Assignee: Michaels 0! Oregon Co., Portland,

' Primary ExaminerBenjamin A. Borchelt [22] Filed; Jam 14 1971 Assistant Exan inerDaniel A. Bent [21] A l N 106 473 Attorney-Kollsch & Hartwell v [57] ABSTRACT (gill A gun barrel mounting for a sling Swivel of the type 1 I I a v a u I I h h f t I t- 58 Field of Search ..42/ss; 24/2.s, 265; 224/l.1; $33143 ;ggj fi ggg'g gigffgif mil 'D8/264-265 267-268 P 24/248 around a barrel by means of a screw devlce whlch attaches to end portions in the band, and which contains [56] References Cited a double-open-ended bore that is sized freely to n- STATES PATENTS receive the hinge pin in a swivel.

2,269 9/1841 Page ..42/85 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures /Z x /4 ,2! m J 4 g j /6\ [I m r". l e 3 l f i i 3/ PATENTEDDEC 51912 3,704,537

PresibnVMcKinzie INVENTOR v W gigs.

GUN BARREL MOUNTING FOR SLING SWIVEL BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An accessory which is often added to a rifle or shotl0 gun after its purchase is a sling. The opposite ends of the sling are normally attached to the butt and barrel ends of the gun through a device known as a sling swivel. In general terms, such a swivel typically comprises a metal loop which receives the end of a sling, with this loop, either directly or through another part, adapted to be pivotally mounted on the gun for swinging about an axis that extends generally transversely of the guns longitudinal axis.

In the past, various problems have been encountered in connection with the mounting of a swivel on the barrel end (i.e., on the barrel) of a gun. Existing barrel mountings for sling swivels typically include quit a few parts which are costly to manufacture and often difficult for a gun owner to manipulate properly in attaching them to a gun. In some instances, these prior art devices, if improperly handled during a mounting operation can damage a gun. For example, certain types of mountings for sling swivels include tightening screws which (with the device attached to a gun barrel) are directed radially toward the barrel. A person attempting to tighten such a screw too far may easily jam its end against the barrel, with resultant damage to the latter.

A general object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a novel mounting for a sling swivel which avoids many of the problems encountered heretofore with conventional mountings.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide such a mounting which is particularly adapted for use with conventional sling swivels of the type including a hinge pin for mounting purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel gun barrel sling swivel mounting which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to install on the barrel of a gun without any damageto the latter.

A further object is to provide such a swivel mounting which has relatively few parts.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proposed mounting comprises what might be thought of as a barrel band that is adapted to be clamped releasably around a gun barrel. The barrel band contemplated comprises an elongated curved central portion that is adapted to extend at least partially circumferentially about such a barrel, with opposed spaced-apart end portions joined to opposite ends of the central portion which can be drawn together to tighten the band against a barrel.

Also included in the mounting is a novel screw device, or tightening device, which is adapted to interconnect the end portions in the band, and which may be adjusted to draw them together for the purpose of tightening the band on a barrel. This screw device is received in bores in the end portions of the band, and includes an elongated axially extending bore which is exposed at both ends and which is sized to receive freely and rotatably the hinge pin in a swivel. With the mounting in place on a gun barrel, the axis of this screw device, and thus the axis of the bore within the device, extend at generally a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the barrel.

With such a construction, it will be obvious that a number of important results are obtained. To begin with, it will be apparent that attachment of such a mounting on a gun barrel comprises a relatively simple task. The mounting includes only two parts, and is easily tightened against the outside of a barrel simply by adjusting the screw device to draw the end portions of the band together. Such an operation can obviously be performed without damage to a gun. The elongated exposed axial bore featured in the screw device readily receives the hinge pin in a sling swivel, and thus facilitates attachment of the swivel.

The two parts in the proposed mounting are relatively simple in construction, and are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Obviously, the exact sizes of parts in the mounting will depend on the application for which they are intended. It will therefore be understood that a mounting may be made according to the invention to fit a gun barrel of any size, and to accommodate any one of a number of different particular styles of sling swivels which include mounting hinge pins.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages attained by the invention will become more fully apparent as the description which follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view taken axially along the barrel of a rifle showing a sling swivel mounting, as contemplated herein, seated on the barrel, and in a condition ready to be tightened against the outside of the barrel;

FIG. 2 illustrates the sling swivel mounting of FIG. I in a condition tightened against the barrel, and with one type of conventional sling swivel mounted on the mounting; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, and referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, indicated generally at 10 is a gun barrel sling swivel mounting as contemplated herein. In FIG. 1, this mounting is shown seated on the barrel 12 of a rifle, in a condition ready to be clamped to the outside of the barrel. In FIG. 2, the mounting is shown in a condition tightened, or clamped, against the barrel. The proposed mounting comprises two partsa barrel band, or clamp member, 14, and a screw device, or tightening device, 16.

The barrel band is a unitary member preferably made of a resilient steel, and includes an elongated curved central portion 140, and end portions 14b, 14c joined integrally to opposite ends of the central portion. The central portion of the band has a transverse cross-sectional configuration such as that illustrated at the top of FIG. 3. End portion 14b includes a 2-diameter bore 18 having an outer end portion 18a of l diameter joining with an inner end portion 18b of somewhat smaller diameter. End portions 18a, 18b join through a shoulder 18c in the bore. End portion 14c in the band includes a threaded bore 20.

In a completely relaxed state, the central portion of the barrel band curves along a somewhat ovate-shaped path, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with end portions 14b, 14c relatively widely spaced. This is the state in which the band is normally supplied to a user for attachment to the barrel of his gun. In such a state, ample clearance is provided for placing the central portion of the band around the barrel for which it is intended. Such clearance is apparent in FIG. 1. The wide spacing between portions 14b, 14c enables the band to be slipped readily past the usual front ramp and sight assembly, in front of the barrel. In other words, removal of such an assembly is not'necessary.

As contemplated herein, the band may be clamped, or tightened against the outside of a barrel, such as barrel 12, by drawing its end portions together to relative positions such as those illustrated in FIG. 2. Preferably, initial drawing together of the end portions in the band is accomplished by some suitable means such as a pair of pliers or a vise. More specifically, the end portions of the band may thus be drawn toward one another to positions just slightly more spaced apart from one another than illustrated in FIG. 2. Screw device 16, also referred to herein as a screw-adjustable device, may then be used, as will be more fully explained shortly, to complete the operation of drawing the end portions together and of securing the band to the barrel. 7

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, screw device 16, which preferably is made of steel, comprises an elongated generally cylindrical body 16a having a threaded end 16b. The opposite end of body 16a joins with a cylindrical head 160 which has a slightly larger outside diameter than that of the body. Extending axially completely through the body and head in device 16, as contemplated herein, is an elongated bore, or passage, 16d. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the end face of head 160 contains a diametrical slot 16c. This slot accommodates the end of a screwdriver blade, or like tool.

With the opposite end portions in band 14 partially drawn together as previously described, the threaded end of body 16a may be freely inserted through bore 18 in end portion 14b, with head 16c received within the outer end portion (18a) of bore 18, and seated against shoulder 18c. Threaded end 16b of body 16a may then be screwed into bore 20 in end portion 140 in the band. It will be apparent that this operation may be continued sufficiently to complete the tightening of the band on the barrel. It will be apparent also that such an operation involves little if any chance of damage to the barrel.

Bore 16d in device 16, whose opposite ends it will be noted are fully exposed, is adapted, as contemplated herein, freely and rotatably to receive the hinge pin in a conventional sling swivel (of the type including such a pin). Such a conventional sling swivel is indicated at 22 (in FIGS. 2 and 3), in a condition mounted on the mounting. Swivel 22 is a qnick-attachable-detachable type of swivel, including a body 24 on which is mounted a hinge pin 26. Pin 26 extends freely and completely through bore 16d and can rotate in the bore about an axis 31 which is disposed at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis 120 of barrel 12. A spring-biased swingable latch 28 in the swivel includes a shaft 28a and an arm 28b-with the latter being adapted releasably to catch the end of pin 26 which extends outwardly of end portion in band 14. The latch is shown in solid outline in a condition catching the end of the pin. Swivel 22 can readily be removed from mounting 10 simply by shifting latch 28 against the action of its biasing spring, and swinging it out of the way (about the axis, 280, of shaft 28a) to enable retraction of pin 26 from bore 16d. More specifically, the latch may be shifted against its biasing spring to a position such as that shown in dashed outline at 28A in FIG. 2, and swung to a position such as that illustrated in dash-dot outline at 28B in FIG. 3.

Also included in swivel 22 isthe usual pivoted loop 30 which may be attached to an end of a sling. In the particular swivel illustrated, loop 30 is pivoted on body 24 for swinging about an axis 32 which substantially parallels axes 31 28c.

It will thus be apparent that a very simple and easily attached sling swivel mounting is proposed by the invention. The mounting can readily be attached to a gun barrel with no damage to the latter and with a minimal amount of effort. The axial bore in the screw device in the mounting, which is fully exposed at both ends with the mounting secured to a barrel, readily accommodates the hinge pin in a swivel. Obviously, such a hinge pin may be inserted in the bore from either of the boresends.

It will be further apparent that the particular dimensions of the various parts in the mounting may be modified to adapt the mounting to various applications. Thus, the proposed mounting is one which can be easily constructed to fit substantially all kinds of gun barrels.

While a preferred embodiments of the invention has been described herein, it is appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from its spirit.

It is claimed and desired to secure by letters patent:

1. A gun barrel mounting for a sling swivel where the latter includes a hinge pin, said mounting comprising a unitary barrel band including an elongated continuous curved central portion adapted to be fitted about a gun barrel, and confronting spaced-apart end portions joined to the opposite ends of said central portion, which end portions may be drawn together to clamp the central portion releasably against the outside of such a barrel, and

an elongated detachable screw device adapted to extend between and engage with said end portions for drawing the same together, said screw device including an elongated axially extending bore having at least one of its ends open, with the bore sized to receive freely and rotatably the hinge pin in a sling swivel.

2. A gun barrel mounting for a sling swivel having a hinge pin, said mounting in operative condition on a gun barrel comprising a unitary barrel band having an elongated continuous curved central portion extending at least partially circumferentially about said barrel, and a pair of confronting spaced-apart end portions joined to opposite ends of said central portion, said end portions including a pair of axially aligned bores, and an elongated adjustable screw device extending between and interconnecting said end portions, and received in said bores, said screw device holding said end portions together with said curved central portion of said barrel band clamped against the outside of said barrel,

said screw device including an elongated axially extending bore at least one end of which is open, with such bore adapted freely and rotatably to receive said hinge pin.

3. The mounting of claim 2, wherein said bore is disposed with its longitudinal axis spaced from and at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said barrel.

4. A gun barrel mounting for a sling swivel where the latter has a hinge pin, said mounting comprising a releasable unitary clamp member adapted to be clamped to the outside of a gun barrel including a curved continuous central portion adapted to extend at least partially circumferentially about such a barrel, and spaced-apart end portions adapted to be drawn together to tighten the central portion against a barrel, and

an elongated detachable tightening device adapted to extend between and interconnect said end portions, operable when interconnecting the end portions to draw them together, said tightening device including an elongated axially extending bore at least one end of which os open and is exposed with the device interconnecting said end portions, said bore being sized to receive freely and rotatably a hinge pin in a sling swivel.

5. The mounting of claim 4, wherein opposite ends of said bore in said tightening device are open and are exposed with the device interconnecting said end portions in said clamp member.

6. Apparatus for mounting a sling swivel on a gun barrel where the swivel includes a hinge pin for mounting purposes, said apparatus comprising a unitary, continuous band adapted to be releasably 

1. A gun barrel mounting for a sling swivel where the latter includes a hinge pin, said mounting comprising a unitary barrel band including an elongated continuous curved central portion adapted to be fitted about a gun barrel, and confronting spaced-apart end portions joined to the opposite ends of said central portion, which end portions may be drawn together to clamp the central portion releasably against the outside of such a barrel, and an elongated detachable screw device adapted to extend between and engage with said end portions for drawing the same together, said screw device including an elongated axially extending bore having at least one of its ends open, with the bore sized to receive freely and rotatably the hinge pin in a sling swivel.
 2. A gun barrel mounting for a sling swivel having a hinge pin, said mounting in operative condition on a gun barrel comprising a unitary barrel band having an elongated continuous curved central portion extending at least partially circumferentially about said barrel, and a pair of confronting spaced-apart end portions joined to opposite ends of said central portion, said end portions including a pair of axially aligned bores, and an elongated adjustable screw device extending between and interconnecting said end portions, and received in said bores, said screw device holding said end portions together with said curved central portion of said barrel band clamped against the outside of said barrel, said screw device including an elongated axially extending bore at least one end of which is open, with such bore adapted freely and rotatably to receive said hinge pin.
 3. The mounting of claim 2, wherein said bore is disposed with its longitudinal axis spaced from and at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said barrel.
 4. A gun barrel mounting for a sling swivel where the latter has a hinge pin, said mounting comprising a releasable unitary clamp member adapted to be clamped to the outside of a gun barrel including a curved continuous central portion adapted to extend at least partially circumferentially about such a barrel, and spaced-apart end portions adapted to be drawn together to tighten the central portion against a barrel, and an elongated detachable tightening device adapted to extend between and interconnect said end portions, operable when interconnecting the end portions to draw them together, said tightening device including an elongated axially extending bore at least one end of which os open and is exposed with the device interconnecting said end portions, said bore being sized to receive freely and rotatably a hinge pin in a sling swivel.
 5. The mounting of claim 4, wherein opposite ends of said bore in said tightening device are open and are exposed with the device interconnecting said end portions in said clamp member.
 6. Apparatus for mounting a sling swivel on a gun barrel where the swivel includes a hinge pin for mounting purposes, said apparatus comprising a unitary, cOntinuous band adapted to be releasably clamped about such a barrel, a screw-adjustable device detachably mountable on said band; and when mounted operable to draw spaced-apart portions of sad band toward one another to clamp the band against a barrel, and means in said screw-adjustable device defining a passage extending therethrough adapted freely to receive the hinge pin in a sling swivel with the device mounted on the band. 